In Copenhagen, the cyclist is king and everything adapts to him. For example, the lights of the main avenues are synchronized so that a person driving at 20 km/h turns them all green. But, this Friday 1er July, the best specialists risk descending the Norregade – a central street – at more than 55 km / h during a time trial drawn in the wide streets of the Danish capital to launch this Tour de France 2022.
At this speed, the Queen Louise Bridge is very quickly crossed. Forty-two thousand bicycles travel daily on the busiest cycle route in the world. In civilian clothes, the Danish runner Michael Morkov sometimes borrows it with his two children. Friday, he will pedal on his time trial bike with his Quick-Step jersey.
According to the Dane, his capital never does more than reflect the culture of his country. “With us, you receive a bike for your 3 year old, you go to school with it and it’s often the fastest and most practical way to get around”summarizes the one who lives in Copenhagen with his family after a few years of “exile” in Italy, at the start of his career.
“The most cycle-friendly city in the world”
The cyclist says to himself ” proud ” to see his commune put forward with this great departure. The formula has been found for its promoters: “The most cycleable city in the world for the biggest race in the world. » And she didn’t steal it. “The French have a vision of a cycling city that stops at Amsterdam. Yes, Amsterdam was a pioneer in this area, but all the studies put Copenhagen in the lead on the question of cyclability”, insists Clotilde Imbert, France director of Copenhagenize.
This Danish organization advises cities wishing to develop the practice of the little queen at home. “I introduced Copenhagen to delegations from Bordeaux and Montpellier and everything seemed simple, organized and safe. On their return, these agglomerations made decisions that they would never have made without this trip. When you ride for a few days in Copenhagen, you project yourself into the future of a cycling city. »
When bankruptcy favors all-bike riding
A future that resembles the present of Copenhageners. In 2019, Copenhagenize studied data provided by 130 cities. Verdict? “CPH” (his nickname) crushes the competition with 62% of intramural daily journeys being made by bicycle. Amsterdam is very far from the Danish yellow jersey with its 36%.
Other figures, the city has more bicycles than inhabitants (736,600 against 638,117). Indeed, some have two or even three, like their mayor, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen. “I have one for racing to ride with my friends and two others for my everyday lifesays the elected. Cycling is part of life for everyone here! Every day, our fellow citizens take it to go to school, to work, for leisure. Over the past decade, more than 100 million euros have been invested in cycling infrastructure. »
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